DirecTV Plans Bond Offering and 4 Media Titans Making Waves

Netflix, Inc. took a further step to join the television establishment to the semi-annual gathering of television press when they presented three new programs they plan for the months ahead. The three programs include the comedy “Derek,” focusing on a nursing home and starring the comedian Ricky Gervais, the supernatural thriller “Hemlock Grove,” and a reboot of the former Fox comedy “Arrested Development.” (Netflix tweeted that “Arrested Development” will feature 14 episodes and will be released in May.) Netflix did not present its most anticipated show “House of Cards,” which debuts on February 1.

Durham, NC video technology company Digitalsmiths said that the nation’s No. 2 cable TV company, Time Warner Cable, Inc. is using their sophisticated search capabilities to make it easier for subscribers to find what they want to watch. Time Warner Cable, which has 500,000 cable TV customers in the Triangle, is integrating Digitalsmiths’ Seamless Discovery technology into their customer interface. This will be for subscribers who watch the video content supplied by Time Warner on a TV or on a mobile device such as a smartphone or an iPad.

CBS Corporation, has promoted both Chris Ender and Dana McClintock to executive Vice President of communications for CBS Corporation. Both executives will continue working with Gil Schwartz, Executive VP of Corporate Communications and Chief content Officer of CBS Corp. on the company’s overall media relations and communications strategy for their external and internal constituencies.

Walt Disney World has a new leader at the helm of the Florida-based theme park resort. George Kalogridis was named President of the Orlando-based Walt Disney World Resort on Wednesday. Kalogridis is replacing Meg Crofton who is taking on a full-time role as the head of Disney’s resort destinations in the United States and France. Kalogridis had been the President of the Disneyland Resort in California. His job there will be filled by Michael Colglazier, who has headed Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme park in Florida.

DirecTV is planning to raise $750 million with bonds that may fund share repurchases at the largest United States satellite-TV operator whose stock trades are cheaper, relative to earnings, than their average U.S. competitor. The company intends to issue five-year securities that may yield 115 basis points more than similar-maturity treasuries, according to a person familiar with the offering. Proceeds from the sale may be used to buy back stock, El Segundo, California-based DirecTV said today in a regulatory filing.